2018 Jeep Wrangler spied again before official debut

More details seen as next-gen Jeep 4x4 sheds some camo

The 2018 Jeep Wrangler has been spotted road-testing once again ahead of an expected debut later in 2017.

Camouflaged prototypes of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have been spotted once again, this time by an Autoweek reader in Indiana. These prototypes have dropped a little bit of the camo since the last time we saw them, showing more of their midsection and doors while wearing off-road tires over black-painted wheels. The latest spy shots, courtesy of Joe Bevelhimer, reveal more of the cargo compartment's side windows -- they are going to be pretty large -- as well as the dramatic wheel arches that have been optimized for aerodynamics.

The main visual difference between the outgoing model and the 2018 Wrangler, at least at this point, is the generous angle of the windshield that evidences Jeep's efforts to make the 4x4 as sleek as possible while maintaining its general shape, and to also lighten its structure with the use of aluminum where possible. The hood and the doors have been rumored to be prime candidates for the use of aluminum panels, though this detail has not been confirmed yet.

Photo

Joe Bevelhimer

The 2018 Wrangler is expected to use some aluminum body panels in order to save weight, also focusing on better aerodynamics.

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When it comes to engines, the 2018 Wrangler is expected to use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder codenamed Hurricane as the base engine, paired with a new ZF eight-speed automatic, with the corporate 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 occupying the middle rung in the range along with the eight-speed ZF unit.

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Beyond that, the next-gen Wrangler is expected to feature details such as a larger front bumper, a fold-down windshield, more rounded window corners and wrap-around taillights. The taillights are one item that hasn't been spotted yet in any quality photo, though their look, as with the rest of the vehicle, is not expected to depart significantly from the outgoing model.